GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF THE HOG. 203 



stated hcurs on the ground, which in the yard, as well as the place 

 where they sleep, is kept perfectly dry and clean. They are attend- 

 ed by Indians with every possible care. There is a cold bath on the 

 premises, which they are obliged frequently to use, as cleanliness is 

 considered essential to their acquiring that enormous load of fat from 

 which the principal profit is derived. Their ease and comfort seem 

 also in every respect to be studiously attended to ; and the occupation 

 of two Indian lads will cause a smile on the countenances of my 

 musical readers, when they are informed that they are employed 

 from morning till night in settling any disputes or little bickerings 

 that may arise among the happy inhabitants of this community, 

 either in respect to rank or condition, and in singing them to sleep. 

 The boys are chosen for the strength of their lungs, and their taste 

 and judgment in delighting the ears and lulling the senses of this 

 amiable harmonic society ; they succeed each other in chanting 

 during the whole day, to the great delight and gratification of their 

 bristly audience, who seem fully to appreciate the merits of the 

 performers." Martin says : 



"Any place is thought good enough for a pig, no matter how 

 dark, damp, or filthy it may be, and in such places we have seen 

 pigs kept. But what has been the consequence ? Diseases of the 

 skin, swellings of the joints, dullness, and loss of eager, healthy ap- 

 petite ; often, after being slaughtered, the intestines are found in- 

 fested by parasitic worms. So far from any place being good 

 enough for a pig, much of the animal's health and ultimate profit- 

 ableness depend on the domicile in which it is kept. For those who 

 keep only one or two pigs, a well-built wind and waterproof sty or 

 shed for a dormitory, in an inclosure for air and exercise as large 

 as convenient, will suffice. The feeding-trough should be made of 

 stone, as wooden troughs are liable to be gnawed, and are often 

 knocked over when half full of food by the snout of the pig, either 

 by accident or in wantonness. It would be well also to give the 

 animal access to a stone receptacle of clean water; for though much 

 water should not be given to a pig during the progress of fattening, 

 still the animal should never be allowed to suffer from thirst ; no- 

 thing tends more than thrist to derange the digestive organs, and 

 prevent the animal from thriving. The floor of the whole sty and 

 yard should be well paved with brick, and incline to a drain, both 

 for the sake of dryness and facility of cleaning. The manure, liquid 

 as well as more solid, should be put into a manure-pit for the future 

 benefit of the garden. A sufficient quantity of straw should be 

 spread on the floor of the dormitory, and all should be clean, even 

 the trough, which should be washed out every day. The door should 

 oe made to open inwards ; otherwise, if not very strongly secured, 

 it is liable to be forced open by the animal, and much mischief may 



